High school is a pivotal time for planning your future, but for so many students, the path to higher education feels unclear and overwhelming. The process of filling out applications, completing the FAFSA, and searching for scholarship opportunities can be daunting. I’ve watched friends who are smart, talented, and full of potential struggle to navigate these systems. Some didn’t know where to start, while others became so overwhelmed by the process that they gave up entirely.
To help address these challenges, the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard SB 5164 at its hearing Jan. 16. This bill matters because it addresses the complicated barriers to applying to college and for financial aid. Under the bill, dedicated specialists and navigators would offer hands-on support to high school students to help break down complicated processes, answer questions, and encourage students to keep moving forward, even when it feels impossible. From my perspective and the experiences of my peers, having someone who believes in you and is there to guide you can make all the difference, especially for many first-generation students who don’t have parents or guardians who can help them navigate this process.
I had the opportunity to tell senators about my experience and that of my friends when I testified for the first time. It was an incredible adventure. The opportunity to share my perspective and advocate for such an important issue felt empowering. While the testimony itself was brief —, barely 90 seconds — the impact of telling my story and contributing to the democratic process allowed me to see the importance and impact advocacy can have.
This internship has truly been an amazing opportunity to grow and learn in ways I never expected. Recently, I had the chance to meet with Troy Goracke, a policy associate in Basic Education for Adults. He helped me learn more about how to analyze bills for their benefits and impact. His insight into the legislative process helped me better understand how policies are shaped and how they can address the needs of students like me. It’s one thing to feel passionately about an issue, but it’s another to see how that passion can translate into action. Troy’s guidance gave me tools to think critically about legislation and advocate effectively in turn.
Last week provided me with so many amazing experiences and learning opportunities, I’m really grateful for everything this internship has taught me so far. Getting to testify on a bill and learn more about how policies are shaped has given me a new perspective on the policy making process. I’m thankful for the people who have taken the time to guide me, and I’m excited to keep learning and being a part of this work as the session goes on.
